Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein

Education and military service

Alois attended the Liechtenstein Grammar School in Vaduz-Ebenholz and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. He served in the Coldstream Guards in Hong Kong and London for six months before entering the University of Salzburg, from which he earned a Master's degree in Jurisprudence in 1993.

Duties

Until 1996, Alois worked at a firm of chartered accountants in London. In May of that year, he returned to Vaduz and became active in managing his father's finances.

Hans-Adam II retained the sweeping powers (the right to veto laws and elect judges) in a Constitutional referendum in 2003.

On Liechtenstein Day in 2004, Hans-Adam II formally turned the power of making day-to-day governmental decisions over to his son, preparing for the transition to a new generation. Hans-Adam remains head of state.

On 27 November 2005, Liechtenstein voters rejected an initiative that would prohibit abortion and birth control in the principality. Instead, a government-sponsored counter proposal was ratified. The pro-life initiative was supported by Roman Catholic Archbishop Wolfgang Haas. Alois was initially sympathetic to the pro-life proposal, but became neutral during the run-up to the vote.

In 2011, Alois threatened to exercise his princely veto if voters approved a forthcoming referendum to legalize abortion in the principality. Such a veto was not necessary as the voters rejected the proposal.

Following the Prince's threat, the "Damit deine Stimme zählt" ("So that your voice counts") initiative was launched to change the constitution to prevent the Prince from vetoing legislation approved in referendums. The referendum was held on 1 July 2012 and 76% of voters upheld the Prince's power to veto referendum results.

Marriage and children

On 3 July 1993, at St. Florin's in Vaduz, Alois married Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, now also Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein and Countess Rietberg. They have four children:

National Day/Open Castle

The prince hosts an open day at his castle on 15 August every year where guests are treated to local drinks, delicacies, and the opportunity to meet and mingle with the princely family. Later that night, the castle is lit up by an elaborate projection system and a world class fireworks display, and a street fair goes on late into the night.

Titles and styles

National honours

Foreign honours

Others honours